Well, if there was ever a delicious day in New Orleans, it was this one. I mean, everyday was delicious, but this day was the most food intense day yet. It was also one of our more relaxing days since the day was broken up by: delicious food, relaxing boat ride, delicious food, bed. It was obviously a painful day for all of us 😉 I also may have started my day with coffee and salt and vinegar chips for breakfast—- but I mean, when on vacation, right?
We started the day a little bit later than we would have liked. We are in no way shape or form early birds in this home. Like, Marlowe was confused the day before when we woke up before the sun— it just made no sense to her (it makes no sense to me either). On any given day it would be a miracle for all or any of us to be out of the house before 9 am— the school years will be interesting to say the least. (see day one HERE)
So we were up, missed our breakfast mark a bit and headed on a downtown walk towards Borgne. When I had looked at the Borgne menu the previous week, I was hesitant. Vegans + seafood places never ever mix— at least not here in Florida. Borgne was a different story— Chef Brian Landry was (and is, obviously) amazing. He prepped a vegan gumbo recipe for us to try. And not some mock meat tofu version of gumbo, but a real, delicious from the earth meal of kale, collards, and a bunch of other green (9 greens to be exact). This dish is absolutely going to be a new staple in the house. It’s rich and filling— but packed in greens– could it be any better?
Every time the word ‘gumbo’ or ‘sorbet’ comes up, Marlowe asks about “Chef Brian”— apparently she has developed a new love for blackberry sorbet. Brian was so kind— and just so cool. You’re cool, Brian. Let’s hang. He taught us about using sassafras as a thickener— something more common to New Orleanians— but not so much for us South Floridians. It’s been really funny to see Marlowe grow up in our home kitchen, but also to watch her reach a little higher in restaurant kitchens too. She has yet to visit Alex at his newer restaurant— but I’m hoping that can change in the next few months since she’s been growing increasingly better at eating out.
After our cooking lesson we headed out to the dining room— where we waited for the gumbo to simmer a bit and Marlowe and I walked around the empty (not yet opened restaurant) taking photos. She took some really good, abstract ones 😉 Then, we were served not only the gumbo, but also, a bunch of other delicious things.
Like I mentioned yesterday, I’ll be talking about food a whole lot more in another post, but for now, Borgne: an amazing restaurant for everyone. I was happy. Alex was happy. And the kiddo was happy. None of us left hungry. I left thinking, I wish I hadn’t eaten that bag of chips so I would have that much more room. I was rolled out of the restaurant and then we jumped in a cab and headed to the French Quarter waterfront
I think everyone mostly thinks french quarter when they think bout New Orleans travel, right? I mean, I get it, it’s a HUGE part of New Orleans— but there was so much beyond the party— even within the french quarter. Our first visit there though, I wanted to check out the touristy shops. I was excited for sequins and feathers. Yes, I’m a “must wear black” everyday kind of girl, but you guys know I LOVE my sparkles. We went in and out of shops for an hour or so, waiting for our lunch time Steamboat ride. It was a good way to work off our late breakfast, early lunch 😉
Look to the left of Alex’s butt. See that sign? I am SO bummed I didn’t notice that sign until I was uploading pictures! What if there was beignets?! Or croissants?! I feel like I failed hard here. There’s always next time?
You’re seeing a trend.
We spent our whole California vacation trying to get a family picture and BOOM we have now two in New Orleans. I went to take a picture of Marlowe, and what do you know, another amazingly kind local walks up and asks if we would like her to take a family photo?! Nicest. city. in. the. country.
By the time we got to the Natchez, we were hot, really hot. And sweaty too. We were charming….? But once the boat got going, we were able to cool off with drinks and air condition in the dining room and then shade and breeze out on deck. The jazz band was good. The drinks were good. It was really a great (and relaxing!) experience in the middle of the day. It was also nice that it was a partially educational too. We had no idea what a big port N.O. was—- I also had no idea how much sugar Domino produced in a day. It’s A LOT.
Not a fan of boat horns, but oh so cute.
After the boat we headed back to the hotel, cleaned up, fancied up, and headed outside again. We walked the few short blocks south? maybe south? to August. Nice accessory, Alex.
August was charming and delicious. I wouldn’t recommend trying it with squirmy or anxious kids— but with one entertained and very tired kid, it worked well for us— even with spending a few hours there enjoying the five course tasting menus— with wine pairings of course 😉
Alex and I both loved our food and enjoyed sipping light summer wines— we left very happy. Marlowe, well she was sleepy, but happy to have me cuddle in bed right next to her and join her for an early bed time 😉 
Day two of New Orleans: deliciously and enjoyably conquered.
see:
day one HERE.
shop:
cheesy french quarter tourist shops
play:
eat:
chips— forever.
*
marlowe’s coral dress: HERE
marlowe’s coral dress: HERE
my backpack: HERE (ps. it’s ‘vegan’ leather but/and absolutely great quality– which if you looked, is really hard to find).
my shorts HERE (clearance)
my hat HERE (it’s black, but super light for heat! woo!)
This trip was in partnership with The City Of New Orleans. A HUGE thank you to NOTMC for inviting us to your beautiful city. &&a huge thank you to all those who recommended such amazing places! Nola, we love you.
16 Comments
I've been following you since before you had Marlowe, she's getting so big! I've loved being able to follow you along in everything you've done, you inspire me to be a hard worker and follow my dreams.
xo Samantha
barefootinthewood.blogspot.com
so lovely! amazing pics 🙂
Glad you left a link for your hat. Love it. That gumbo sounds so good! I love kale in my soups. Too bad you miss that shop with the vegan options! I guess you have to go back! Thanks for sharing.
– Christina http://www.cityloveee.blogspot.com
It's neat to see you fall in love with my beloved city.
I loved New Orleans and Restaurant August as well! It is such a charming little city that I do wish to return to!
I'm so glad you're a step ahead and posted her Coral dress and your hat, two things I made note of to ask you ;).
You make New Orleans look a "visitable" (that's a word) city for someone with a kid that isn't interested in having the "she does that for bead necklaces" talk.
haha. After a few years of blogging, I'm finally beginning to learn what people might ask about 😉
And you mean, "she's looking for her baby to breast-feed?" wouldn't be a good explanation? 😉
I can't believe how wrong I was about New Orleans. The scenery and culture looks so exciting. That marketplace looking area where you missed the vegan sign looks pretty awesome. And Zapp's chips are so the best, even up here in New Jersey they've gotten pretty darn popular haha. Now it's 9:30am and I'm craving salt and vinegar chips too. Also, my 3 year old never wakes up before 9am/9:30am and so I totally feel you on how weird it feels to wake up super early while on vacation… but you need all the time you can get for exploring!
And right across from Heart Cafe is the Cajun Cafe which has vegan Rice & Beans AND vegan jambalaya!!
On a side note, (and please OMG do not take this offensively) I'm assuming this trip was sponsored which you're kind of clear about but regarding your restaurant experiences (especially at Borgne, whose menu is so NOT vegan friendly) it'd be nice for some clarification on the sort of (well deserved) special treatment you guys got and why/how that came to be.
Maybe that will all be in a separate post so if that's case, tell me to shut up!
Also, were actually able to eat lunch on the Steamboat because when I went on years ago it was all alligator fritters and fried chicken…..
I wrote twice in the last post and once at the bottom of this post that is was sponsored by New Orleans. For Borgne, If you're talking about the online menu, yes, the menu is not vegan friendly at all. But I def. wouldn't suggest/recommend it, if it wasn't a good option. The chef made it clear that they have at least one vegetarian/easily vegan option every day. And other readers commented on the my other SM accounts—- saying they've kindly asked the staff what vegan options were available and had things like mushroom po-boys and other delicious meals. I've found this with most forward restaurants— there will be at least vegetable heavy/vegan option– you just have to ask! I mean, I'd obviously call a lot of places first to make sure– but I've very much lean red, it never hurts to ask– I've been surprised to have some places pull out full separate menus. This day we were lucky enough to have the vegan gumbo (not a regular item) but/and there were three other options that happened to be on that days menu (one was vegetarian, but they skipped the cheese for me).
Steamboat is not vegan-friendly. I would def. recommend skipping the dining option to a vegan or vegetarian and just choosing the boat trip and some cocktails.
Thanks for the response! Yes, I am fully practiced at the art of persuading a vegetarian meal or two out of a restaurant. I guess I was more interested in why/how you got to visit the kitchen and dine at the restaurant during closed hours. Was that a special situation just for your trip or is that something that's available to the public?
I guess with a lot of sponsored posts from different bloggers it can be hard to tell if their experiences would actually translate to normal people visiting a place or just how specifically catered the activities are to the particular blogger's sponsorship.
Again, I am really not trying to put you on the defense or anything, I'm just generally interested in the way these trips work for different people.
Visiting the kitchen is/was def. a special situation. We also had a private dinner (another day)– but the menu was everything the restaurant offers anyway– so it's something everyone can enjoy when they visit. Other than that, all the other activities were things we chose to do that anyone can do— and absolutely things we would have done anyway and would do again without it being a sponsored trip.
Great photos looks like such fun! What kind of camera is that in your second pic?
it's my brother's fujifilm 🙂
What amazing photos!
Your daughter is the cutest! And New Orleans looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing and love from Germany,
Bambi
http://lasagnolove.blogspot.de/2014/08/where-do-you-have-best-ideas.html